The Crypts of Kelemvor
by Thomas Foss and Scott Fitzgerald Gray
Introduction
“The Crypts of Kelemvor” is a one-shot Dungeons
& Dragons adventure for characters of levels 3 to
5, adapted from a quest in Neverwinter online. This
scenario sees the adventuring party given an important
quest to collect a number of broken magical seals and
to light a number of magical braziers, all of which once
protected the crypts of Kelemvor. In so doing, they
can help to quell a devastating uprising of undead—
organized by a powerful lich named Idris bent on
destroying the city of Neverwinter.
Running the Adventure
This is a classic dungeon delve, but with a number
of MMORPG twists. The characters are tasked with
finding and collecting items, but must also “click” parts
of the environment as they explore—the braziers whose
magical light is anathema to undead. In addition to the
normal tricks the adventurers can use as they face off
against the undead of the crypts, the light of the sacred
braziers can be used as a weapon. Additionally, the end
of the scenario gives the characters a chance to interact
with another adventuring party—a band known as the
Grave Robbers.
Sacred Braziers of Balance. When one of these
magical braziers is lit, its fire bursts forth in a bright blue
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flame that fills a 25-foot-radius area with bright blue-
white light. For the first 3 rounds after a brazier is lit, any
undead creature that starts its turn within the brazier’s
light takes 16 (3d10) radiant damage—presenting a
significant threat to such creatures. The length of time
it takes to light the braziers is the wild card. A character
adjacent to a brazier must use an action to light it, but
doing so requires a special striking rod and stone, as
well as a successful DC 12 Dexterity check.
The Grave Robbers. Before the main boss fight at
the end of the scenario, the characters come across an
adventuring party known as the Grave Robbers. Three
of that party’s original four members face off against the
characters (with their cleric having been found eaten in
an earlier part of the dungeon). You can play the Grave
Robbers as greedy and spoiling for a fight, or you can
portray them as pragmatic and willing to work with the
characters to complete their exploration of the dungeon.
Monsters. Statistics blocks for the undead and other
monsters of the crypts appear in an appendix at the end
of the adventure.
Ebon Downs
Deep in the Silverwisp Swamp off the southern High
Road lie the burial grounds known as Ebon Downs.
Here, many generations of local folk have been laid
to rest, interred within barrows, crypts, and tombs.
1
 As you enter what is left of the rundown temple of
Kelemvor, you feel a strange wave of warmth pass
through your body.

Any cleric or paladin in the party will recognize that the

characters have just passed through a protective ward of
some kind.

The temple is small, and is missing part of its roof and

one wall. A priest of Kelemvor tiredly stands watch,
looking out over the barrows beyond, and an armored
cleric stands in the center of the area next to a campfire.
The cleric looks forlorn until he sees you, at which point
his smile brightens and he beckons you over to him. He
introduces himself as Doomguide Soulhearth—the one
who sent out the request for aid.
The villagers of Grimhollow have watched over these
grounds for many years, with each generation passing Soulhearth is not the most talkative person, and he
on the duties to their children. Under their watchful gets straight to the point. “This temple of Kelemvor, our
eyes, the Ebon Downs have seen peace. fortress, is our stronghold against the lich Idris and its
But one night, that peace was shattered forever. army of undead. But it is not as secure as it should be.
Whether due to a lapse in Grimhollow’s vigil or some
Grave robbers have broken into the crypts beneath the
unknown power, the dead rose in force from the burial
grounds and attacked the village, overwhelming its temple, and have broken several of the mystical seals
citizens. Those few lucky enough to escape spoke of that ensure those who are buried there remain at rest.
a dark magic that caused those killed in the attack “I need you to enter the crypt, relight the sacred
to rise as undead almost as soon as the life had left braziers that will destroy the undead, and bring back
their bodies.
the broken seals. I can then repair them, while the holy
The only thing left standing as a beacon of hope
fires from the braziers will keep any more undead from
in Ebon Downs is the rundown fortress-temple of
Kelemvor—a literal wall dividing the now-swamp- entering the crypt.”
encroached village from the great barrows and the
graveyard. Here, the priests of Kelemvor still inter the
By accepting Doomguide Soulhearth’s quest, the
dead, making sure they don’t rise. The doomguides,
characters will help resanctify the crypts beneath the
clerics, and paladins dedicated to the god of the dead
shrine of Kelemvor. Their goal is to collect all the broken
have pledged their lives in restoring the balance of Ebon
seals and to relight all the braziers found in the crypts.
Downs. But they are fewer and fewer every day, and
have begun to call out across Faerûn for help.

Adventure Hook
If you want to play “The Crypts of Kelemvor” as a side
trek in a larger adventure, you can look for ways to
tie the quest into that adventure. Whatever way you
customize it, the characters are approached by an
acolyte of Kelemvor petitioning for aid to the temple.
A token payment of 20 gp is offered, in addition to free
travel and food—and the promise of burial if things go
badly. But of more interest to adventurers is the acolyte’s
promise that any gems, magic, or other wealth found
within the crypts can be kept, since the dead no longer
need such things.

Sealing the Crypts of

Kelemvor
When the players are ready to begin the adventure, read
or paraphrase the following.

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Features of the Crypts
The crypts of Kelemvor are on three levels, broken out
into separate chambers and hallways. All levels are
connected by stairs, and the areas of each level are
separated by portcullis gates and stone doors.
The key objects in the crypts are the statues of
Kelemvor that once held the magic seals (currently
broken), the braziers of balance, and lots of sarcophagi.
Broken Seals. Each of the broken seals that the
characters must collect is a piece of carved marble
scribed with the symbol of Kelemvor, and weighing
about 4 pounds. All the seals were once held by statues
of Kelemvor scattered around the crypts.
Doors and Gates. The areas of the crypts are
separated by either iron portcullis gates or stone doors.
The portcullis gates allow characters to see through
them into the areas beyond. Most doors and gates are
opened magically using levers on the “front side” of the
door, closest to the entrance to the dungeon. This design
was intended to allow areas of the crypts to be closed off
from the outside if needed.
Pulling a lever to raise or lower a door or gate is
an action. Once open, a door or gate stays open until
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the lever is pulled again, or unless a door closes
automatically as a security measure. If the characters
are worried about someone closing the doors behind
them, an open door can be held open by wedging a spike
or similar object between it and the adjacent wall with
a successful DC 12 Strength check. Unless otherwise
noted, a door that has been closed can be forced open
manually with a DC 25 Strength check, or can be
opened with a knock spell or similar magic.
All portcullis gates in the crypts creak and grind
loudly when raised. The stone doors open with a loud
scraping sound.
Ceilings. Unless otherwise indicated, corridors and
rooms in the crypts have ten-foot-high ceilings.
Light. Many of the areas on the first level are lit by
magical torches imbued with continual flame. In other
areas (including both the lower levels), there is no light
except what the characters bring with them.
Sarcophagi. Numerous stone sarcophagi are set
throughout the crypts. Unless otherwise indicated, all
are closed. Any closed sarcophagus can be opened with
a successful DC 20 Strength check, but contains only
moldering bones.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 3
Area 1: Entry chamber
When the characters enter the crypts, read or
paraphrase the following.
A steep set of stairs leads sixty feet down to the east of
the temple, to a wooden door where a Kelemvorite priest
waits. He unlocks the door and beckons you through,
handing over a small candle lantern, a heavy striking
stone, and a steel rod the size of a large dagger. “Only
the spark of this rod and stone can light the braziers of
balance,” he says dutifully. “May Kelemvor and Selûne
protect you.”
The door shuts loudly behind you as the last of your
group passes through it, and the sound of the lock being
turned on the other side is ominous. You stand in a short
hallway. To the south, a thick metal portcullis gate is
rusted shut, showing only a dark corridor beyond. To the
north, the hallway opens up into a small room.
A burned-down campfire on the east side of the room
suggests that this area was once a guard post of
some sort. Next to the fire is a cloth knapsack that
holds treasure left behind by a priest who once stood
guard here.
Pulling the lever raises the creaking portcullis, but
there is no sign of a mechanism for the stone door. No
action or magic available to the characters can open the
door, and any ability checks made to search or open it
result in failure. (This door opens automatically after the
characters turn a special key in area 8.)
The bones are the remnants of undead skeletons
destroyed by the Grave Robbers when they recently
passed this way.
Broken Seal. The piece of carved marble at the feet of
the statue is the first of the crypt’s broken seals.
Area 3: Main Crypt
This huge chamber is supported by arched pillars, and
features a ceiling ten feet high. Three ornate sarcophagi
stand along the far wall, one of which has had its lid
removed. Two torches along the side walls fill the room
with magical light, revealing open doors along the north
and south walls.
In the center of the room, a waist-high marble brazier
is carved with the symbol of Kelemvor—and has a
mutilated body sprawled before it. Wood is stacked and
ready for lighting within the brazier, suggesting that the
body might have been an acolyte attempting to light it. A
scroll lies on the floor next to the body.

A large stone door with no handles stands to the north,

With a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check, a
with a large brass lever on the wall beside it. When the character notices crouched figures lying in wait within
lever is pulled, a disturbingly loud scraping sound rings the shadowed spaces between the sarcophagi.
out. Dust billows as the thick stone door slides upward,
revealing the area beyond. A magical torch around the
corner of the hallway lights the way forward.

Treasure
Within the knapsack, the characters find a potion of
healing that has the scent of brandy.

Area 2: Central Intersection

Two doors and an open corridor give the characters a
choice of directions from this area.

Two doors stand ahead of you—a metal portcullis gate

to the west, and a stone door straight ahead to the north.
Looking through the portcullis, another corridor extends
some twenty feet before making a T-intersection. A brass
lever stands beside the portcullis on the west wall.

Where the passageway opens up to the east, it

reveals both a larger room ahead and a statue of the
god Kelemvor, its hands open as if it were holding
something. A piece of carved marble sits on the floor at
the statue’s feet. Opposite the statue is a small alcove set
with a pile of humanoid bones.

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Zombie Horde
As soon as any character moves past the pillars closest
to the doorway, eight zombies rise up from the shadows
and attack. For a 4th-level party, use eleven zombies.
For a 5th-level party, use fifteen zombies.
The players should instinctively recognize that this is
a potentially overwhelming group of foes—and should
remember that focusing on lighting the brazier will aid
their efforts to defeat the undead.
The zombies are not smart enough to recognize the
destructive potential of the brazier, and they attempt to
fight within its light even as that light destroys them.
Doors
Stone doors lead into areas 4 and 5, both of them
already raised. Each door has a lever beside it that can
be used to lower and raise it.
Treasure
The characters can claim the spell scroll of prayer of
healing dropped by the acolyte. Additionally, a search of
the acolyte’s body reveals an additional striking stone
and steel rod, letting two characters attempt to light a
brazier at the same time.
Area 4: Trapped Tomb
Pressure plates (marked as triangles on the map) and
a nonfunctioning trap in this room are not a threat, but
should hopefully make the characters nervous as they
explore. There is nothing of value in this room.
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This small chamber features a single sarcophagus, more
ornate than those seen in the larger crypt. A destroyed
zombie is sprawled at the foot of the sarcophagus, its
splintered skull all but removed by some massive object.
In front of you, you see that object—a spear coming out
of one of two holes in the wall, which must have once
been part of a trap guarding this area.
Area 5: Wight Tomb
This chamber features ornately carved bas reliefs along
the walls, showing the symbol of Kelemvor alongside
magical inscriptions. The same inscriptions cover a
sarcophagus against the far wall, which is far more ornate
than those seen in the main crypt. The sarcophagus is
set with large red gems just beneath its lid.
A detect magic spell or similar magic reveals the
presence of warding and binding spells within
the chamber.
If any character touches the sarcophagus, its lid
suddenly bursts off. Any character within 5 feet of the
sarcophagus must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving
throw or take 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage and be
knocked prone as the lid slams to the floor.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 5
Wight Attack
When the sarcophagus lid comes off, a wight in
gleaming knight’s armor stands up within and leaps to
the attack. At the same time, the room’s magical wards
fill the area with a sickly, pulsing red light—and cause
the door to slam shut unless it has been spiked open.
The wight is weakened by the warding spells in the
room, imposing disadvantage on its attack rolls. The
wards also reduce it to 25 hit points for a 3rd-level party,
or 35 hit points for a 4th-level party. Give it full hit points
if facing a 5th-level party.
Wards
The magical wards are a boon to the characters, but
their pulsing light can be distracting. Any creature
that starts its turn in the room must succeed on a DC
10 Intelligence saving throw or have disadvantage on
attack rolls until the start of its next turn.
Dealing with the Door
Any character standing in the entrance to this area
when the door falls must decide which side of the door
to move to. The character must also succeed on a DC
12 Dexterity saving throw or take 5 (1d10) bludgeoning
damage and be knocked prone.
Any characters left in area 3 when the door falls
can pull the lever to open it and join the fight. If all
the characters are in area 5, the door can be opened
manually (see “Features of the Crypts,” above).
After the fight, a successful DC 13 Intelligence
(Investigation) check can be made to examine the door
mechanism and locate a hidden latch that opens the
door from inside. This check cannot be made in combat.
Treasure
Any search of the webs in the spiders’ nest uncovers a
purse holding 15 gp, as well as a fine shortsword with
a silver handle and a tooled silver scabbard, probably of
drow make and worth 20 gp.
Area 7: Side Crypt
A statue of Kelemvor with a broken seal at its feet stands
along the east wall, while a brazier stands along the west
wall. A tattered banner bearing the symbol of Kelemvor
hangs on the wall above the brazier.
Four ornate stone sarcophagi stand in the corners
of the room, and in an alcove near the entrance. The
sarcophagus in the far corner appears to have been
broken in half.
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals
movement within the broken sarcophagus.
Raging Zombie
When any character moves more than halfway into
the room, an enraged zombie leaps out of the broken
sarcophagus, howling in hunger and racing toward the
characters.
Use the statistics of an ogre zombie for this more
advanced foe, but the zombie is a Medium creature. For

Treasure
The sarcophagus is set with four large sardonyx
gemstones worth 10 gp each, all of which can easily be
pried out.

Area 6: Double Doors

An intersection of corridors features two stone doors

with a lever between them, a sarcophagus in an alcove,
and a statue of Kelemvor with a broken seal in its hands.

Nothing hinders the characters from easily claiming this

seal—unless they open the doors first. Pulling the lever
opens both doors simultaneously, revealing the entrance
to area 7 as well as this area—a web-filled chamber
whose occupants are not happy to be disturbed.

Spider Hunt
The side chamber is the nest of three giant wolf
spiders, all of which attack at once. For a 4th-level party,
give each spider 18 hit points. For a 5th-level party, give
each spider 23 hit points.
If any spider is reduced to 5 or fewer hit points,
it scrambles to the back of the side chamber and
disappears up one of several rough, narrow tunnels
leading to the creatures’ hunting grounds on the surface.

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a 4th-level party, increase the zombie’s Armor Class to
9. For a 5th-level party, increase the zombie’s Armor
Class to 10.

Treasure
The broken sarcophagus holds three tattered devotional
scrolls (worth 10 gp total to a temple), and a silver
necklace featuring a symbol of Torm (50 gp).

Area 8: Chapel
The characters are likely to see this area in two
stages, interrupted by a fight with the chapel’s skeletal
guardians.

The corridor opens up to a large chamber with the

look of a chapel. Its arched ceiling rises to a height of
thirty feet, and magical light shines from the north.
The southwest corner of the chamber holds seven plain
sarcophagi with wooden coffins stacked between them,
many of those rotten and broken open. A large support
pillar has a statue of Kelemvor next to it, with a broken
seal at its feet. Bones are scattered everywhere, but of
more immediate concern are the skeletons that step out
from behind the pillar, racing forward to attack.

Wandering Skeletons
The six skeletons in the initial part of the room attack
any creatures they can see, and should interfere with
the characters’ attempts to claim the broken seal or
push farther into the room.
For a 4th-level party, use eight skeletons. For a
5th-level party, use fourteen skeletons.

Getting to the Brazier Standing between a pair of pillars, another statue

Characters who move far enough into the room to see
the brazier on the dais will likely get the idea to rush for
that area ahead of the skeletons, then light the brazier
as the undead close in. Two things stand in their way,
though—the zombies in the western alcove, and a spike
trap at the top of the dais stairs (in the square indicated
on the map).
Further Exploration
As the characters move farther into the room (whether
during the skeleton fight or after that fight is done),
reveal the details of the rest of the chapel. Depending on
where the characters go, you might read or paraphrase
only parts of the following text.
Wide alcoves before the dais are each set with a stone
sarcophagus and lit by a magical torch. The western
alcove is occupied by zombies, hunched over something
on the floor between them and seemingly oblivious to
your presence.
holds a cracked seal in its hands. A ten-foot-deep dais
to the north rises six feet above the floor, lit by a magical
torch and reached by a short flight of steps. A brazier
stands at the center of the dais, with a bas relief of a set
of Kelemvor scales carved above it. Oddly, the scales are
tipped to the left, where Kelemvor’s symbol normally
shows them in balance. A large brass key is set into the
wall beneath the symbol.
Zombie Diners
With a fresh meal in front of them, the two zombies
ignore the party’s fight with the skeletons, not attacking
until the first character approaches to within 10 feet of
the northernmost statue, or if they are attacked first. For
a 4th-level party, use four zombies. For a 5th-level party,
use six zombies.
Stair Trap
At the top of the stairs, a hidden pressure plate triggers
a mechanical trap. Any creature that steps on the trap
causes a cluster of spikes to shoot up into their feet, and
must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed

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save, the creature takes 9 (2d8) piercing damage, or half
as much damage on a successful save.
A character searching the stairs and the dais notes
the trap with a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Perception)
check, and can easily step around it. A character
climbing the stairs without searching spots the trap
only if his or her passive Perception is 18 or higher. A
character climbing the stairs at speed has no chance to
spot the trap.
Unfortunate Visitor
The body being feasted on by the zombies wears the
armor and regalia of a cleric, but has been mutilated
beyond recognition. (The characters can learn later that
this is one of the Grave Robbers. The last one of the
group to climb down into this area, he was killed when
his climbing rope broke.)
Any character searching the north end of the room
notes a pile of broken tile and stone on the ground next
to thirty feet of rope with a frayed end. A hole in the
ceiling above the pile connects to a rough tunnel leading
aboveground, and has a short length of frayed rope
visible where it’s tied off around a rock spur.
Turning the Key
The large brass key is magically fitted to the keyhole
underneath the bas relief of Kelemvor’s symbol, and
cannot be removed. When any character turns the key,
the scales in the bas relief magically right themselves,
and the characters hear the faint sound of a stone door
grinding open in the distance, back toward the entrance.
(This is the means by which the characters gain
entrance to area 9 and the levels below.)
Turning the key back in the other direction puts the
scales out of balance once more and closes the door
into area 9. Otherwise, after one hour, the key magically
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turns back, the scales go out of balance once more, and
the door to area 9 automatically closes.
(The Grave Robbers knew of the key’s function before
entering the chapel through the hole in the ceiling. They
quickly turned the key, then fled through this area to
avoid fighting the undead here.)
Treasure
The dead cleric wears a breastplate in good condition,
but it’s in bad need of cleaning. If the body is rolled
over, the characters find a pouch with a broken potion
vial in it, but the body’s weapons and pack are gone
(quickly grabbed up by the Grave Robbers when they
fled this area).
Area 9: Dark Stairs
When the adventurers return to the central intersection
(area 2) after turning the key on the dais in area 8, they
will see that the stone door to the north has opened as
a result.
Beyond the door stands a small room with a lever next
to another stone door, already open. Beyond that door, a
set of steep stairs leads down into darkness.
A character making a successful DC 12 Wisdom
(Perception) check notes that the second door has been
wedged with a spike to keep it open. The door from area
2 was likewise spiked, but the spike was shattered when
the door magically closed. A successful DC 13 Wisdom
(Perception) check discovers a hidden latch that opens
the door to area 2 from inside this area.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 8
Area 10: Warded Hall
The initial chamber of this area holds only a pair of
stone columns, but a dark hallway leads north toward a
T-intersection and an east–west corridor.
A successful DC 11 Wisdom (Perception) check notes a
number of broken crossbow bolts around the southwest
column and the southern wall of the initial chamber.
This might offer the players a hint of the trap beyond.
Crossbow Trap
The north-leading hallway is set with a series of
pressure plates in the floor, in the area between the
triangles appearing on the map. The plates are made
of iron concealed under years of dust and rubble, and
can be spotted with a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception)
check. Characters not spotting the trap will step on the
pressure plates, causing four crossbow bolts to be fired
through holes in the north wall. Any characters in the
hallway or the eastern part of the initial chamber have
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the trap’s four attacks randomly divided among them: +4
to hit, 5 (1d10) piercing damage.
The bolts fly the length of the hallway and hit the
southwest column and the south wall if they don’t strike
anyone. If the characters bypass the area and make it
safely to the T-intersection, they can easily see the holes
in the wall out of which the crossbow bolts fly.
Moving On
The eastern arm of the intersection leads to a collapsed
section of hallway that can’t be dug out. To the west is a
portcullis and a lever, with stairs seen just beyond. The
portcullis is already open. Any check made to search it
reveals that it is wedged with a spike so that it cannot
be closed.
Area 11: Faintly Lit Stairs
A set of stone stairs leads down to a landing, then turns
to the north. From beyond the bend, a faint rise of
flickering light intermittently dances across the walls.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 9
An entry chamber at the bottom of the stairs features a
statue holding a broken seal next to an open stone door.
It can be easily noticed that the door is spiked open.
Any character who reaches the base of the stairs and
succeeds on a DC 11 Wisdom (Perception) check can
hear distant voices.
Voices from ahead are raised as if in argument, but
are too far away for any details of the conversation to
be heard.
See the next area for more information.
Area 12: Warded Chamber
From the entry room of area 11, the characters will be
able to see some of the details of this room through the
open door, as you determine.
The floor of this rectangular chamber is breached directly
in front of the door by a collapsed trap—a spiked pit
fifteen feet across and nearly twenty-five feet side to
side. Narrow ledges to both sides look as though they
should allow passage around the pit. Near the center of
the twenty-foot-high chamber, a brazier of balance stands
unlit. A sealed sarcophagus is set off to the side.
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It takes a successful DC 10 Dexterity check to walk
around the spiked pit. On a failed check, a character
falls into the pit and must make a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw. With a successful save, the character
manages to land between the spikes, taking only 3 (1d6)
slashing damage from their edges. On a failed save,
the character slams down onto the spikes and takes 10
(3d6) piercing damage. If any character falls into the pit,
the Grave Robbers across the room (see below) hear it
and come over to investigate. Adjust the following part
of the encounter as necessary.
The Grave Robbers
When the characters have moved through the open door
to see fully into the room, add the following details.
On the far side of the room, an oversized stone door
stands closed. In shadowed light, two figures are pacing
before the door and its lever, including one carrying an
enormous sword. Their hushed argument carries across
the room.
It takes a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception)
check to hear the details of the argument between the
adventurers known as the Grave Robbers. If none of the
characters can hear the conversation, paraphrase the
following action.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 10
 The figure with the sword seems impatient as he grunts,
“You going to be there all day? Or should I smash it
open now?”
A figure closer to the door snarls back, “I’m a mage,
not a rogue. There are heavy wards and strong magic
keeping this door sealed.”
“So you try, then,” the warrior says to someone
unseen.
“I told you, it’s a magic seal,” a third voice says. “Not
my thing . . . Wait … what’s that?”
Suddenly, the third figure steps out from behind a
pillar—an archer with bow drawn. “We have company,”
she calls to her companions.
Whether spotting the characters’ light or hearing the
sound of their movement, the Grave Robbers’ rogue
becomes aware of the characters’ presence as they
draw close.
Friend or Foe?
This encounter can go a number of different ways,
depending on whether the characters try to ally with the
Grave Robbers, attempt to see them punished for their
desecration of the crypts, or treat them as a direct threat
and try to kill them outright.
If the characters try to broker a deal with the group,
use roleplaying and DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion)
checks to determine their success. The Grave Robbers
are opportunistic but honest, and are happy to work
with the characters to get through to the next chamber
in exchange for a fair split of any treasure found there.
If the characters decide to fight the Grave Robbers—or
if they fail badly at persuasion or try to intimidate the
NPCs—the three are a potent threat.
If the characters want the Grave Robbers punished,
the NPCs can be rendered unconscious if defeated,
then tied up for delivery to Soulhearth when the
adventure is done.
Warded Door
Pulling on the lever of the stone door in this chamber
has no effect as long as the powerful magical wards are
in place that hold the door shut. A detect magic spell
or similar effect, or a successful DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana) check, reveals that two separate magical
wards seal the door. The door can be forced open with
a successful DC 30 Strength check, or its wards can be
undone with two knock spells.
A character who studies the door and succeeds on
a DC 13 Intelligence (Investigation) check senses that
its magic feeds into the room in some way—a clue that
lighting the brazier also unseals the door’s magical
locks. When the brazier is lit, a pulse of light at the door
announces that the wards have been disabled. Pulling
the lever then opens the door.
Treasure
If the characters fight and defeat the Grave Robbers,
they can claim their gear and treasure—mundane
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
The Grave Robbers
If the characters decide to take on the Grave Robbers, they
are in for a tough fight:
• Samulkin Farcaster is a tiefling mage and the leader of the
group, who uses bravado to hide when he feels that he’s in
a bit over his head. Use illusionist stats for Samulkin.
• Gromlik Three-Teeth is a heavily armored warrior with
sword and shield. Most folk think he’s a dwarf, but no one
really wants to ask. Use knight statistics for Gromlik.
• Cailyassa Forgedawn is a half-elf rogue with a shortbow—
and a short temper. Use scout statistics for Cailyassa.
Their experience and savvy make the Grave Robbers
a challenge for even a 5th-level party. For lower-level
characters, make the following adjustments to Samulkin’s
and Gromlik’s stats:
• For a 3rd-level party, Samulkin has already expended
his 3rd- and 4th-level spell slots and has only 19 hit
points. Gromlik has only 26 hit points and cannot use his
Leadership ability.
• For a 4th-level party, Samulkin has already expended his
4th-level spell slot and has only 28 hit points. Gromlik has
only 35 hit points.
weapons and armor, three potions of healing, coins and
gems worth 45 gp, and one uncommon consumable
magic item of your choice.
Area 13: Final Crypt
A low-ceilinged chamber holds a statue of Kelemvor in
the northeast corner, with a large chest before it and
a broken seal at its feet. A single ornate sarcophagus
stands to the west, with a dusty open book set on one of
four small plinths that surround it. A dead body sprawls
before the sarcophagus, whose sides are marked with
skulls and whose engraving carries an arcane flavor not
seen in the previous crypts.
With a successful DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana or
History) check, a character recognizes that the
sarcophagus’s inscriptions are Thayan in nature. A
character with a background related to Thay knows this
automatically.
The book on the plinth is a dusty prayer book left
here by the Kelemvorites, and worth 10 gp to a temple.
The body is an acolyte who died in this place during an
earlier rising of undead.
Vengeful Undead
A long-dead mage in the sarcophagus has been raised
as a flameskull and woken from its undead slumber
by the opening of the door into this area. Seeking
freedom, it starts to hammer against the lid of its coffin.
If the characters lift the sarcophagus lid, the flameskull
attacks at once. If they do not, it casts lightning bolt
(which it has prepared instead of fireball) to blast the
sarcophagus open before it attacks. Any characters
within 10 feet of the sarcophagus must succeed on a
DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be struck by shattered
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 11
stone for 10 (3d6) damage. Other characters might
“accidentally” be caught in the line of the blind-fired
lightning bolt, as you see fit.
If the Grave Robbers have accompanied the
characters into this area, have them join the fight by
giving their statistics blocks to three of the players. In
that event, the flameskull has 80 hit points and can use
its Fire Ray four times with its Multiattack trait. Roll
randomly for each attack to determine whether the
flameskull targets the player characters or the NPCs.
If the characters can lure the flameskull into the light
of the burning brazier in area 12, it will take damage
only once from the brazier’s light before retreating and
attacking at range.
Back Door
The characters (and any surviving Grave Robbers) can
use the door in area 13 to leave the crypt if they have no
reason to retrace their route back through the dungeon.
However, the door has no lever, meaning it must be
opened manually or with magic.
The stairs climb sixty feet before emerging through
a concealed door in a mausoleum near the temple of
Kelemvor. (Soulhearth and his fellow acolytes were
unaware of this long-forgotten second entrance into the
crypts, and are grateful to the characters for bringing it
to their attention so they can close it off.)
Treasure
The sarcophagus contains only rotting robes. The
chest contains tokens and offerings to Kelemvor, most
of which are worthless—but includes gems and coins
worth a total of 200 gp.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
If the Grave Robbers fought through to this area with
the characters, increase the amount of treasure so that
the characters’ equal share amounts to the total above,
and add an uncommon consumable magic item of your
choice. The Grave Robbers are more interested in the
cash, allowing the characters to haggle for the magic as
you see fit.
Epilogue
If the characters fought alongside the Grave Robbers,
the NPCs try to beat feet once above ground, not
wanting to explain their presence in the crypts to the
Kelemvorites. If the characters captured the NPCs, they
can deliver them to Soulhearth along with the broken
seals. He gives the characters the promised 20 gp, along
with his thanks.
Doomguide Soulhearth greets you happily upon your
return. “By the scales, you are back! And with the broken
seals! Very well done.” He beckons two younger priests
to take the seals, then shakes each of you by the hand.
“Thank you, friends. Your efforts have saved many today.
We will repair and replace the seals before any more of
those foul undead escape to ravage our countryside.”
“We are but humble priests here. But please, take
this token of our appreciation. Safe travels, and may
Kelemvor always keep your path in the balance.”
Editing, development, and layout for Dragon+:
Scott Fitzgerald Gray
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 12
Appendix: Monsters and NPCs
Flameskull Giant Wolf Spider
Tiny undead, neutral evil Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class 13 Armor Class 13

Hit Points 40 (9d4 + 18) Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover) Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (−5) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 3 (−4) 12 (+1) 4 (−3)

Skills Arcana +5, Perception +2 Skills Perception +3, Stealth +7

Damage Resistances lightning, necrotic, piercing
Damage Immunities cold, fire, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed,
poisoned, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including
upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an
ability check.

Illumination. The flameskull sheds either dim light in a 15-foot
radius, or bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for
an additional 15 feet. It can switch between the options as
an action.
Magic Resistance. The flameskull has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Rejuvenation. If the flameskull is destroyed, it regains all its hit
points in 1 hour unless holy water is sprinkled on its remains
or a dispel magic or remove curse spell is cast on them.
Spellcasting. The flameskull is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to
hit with spell attacks). It requires no somatic or material
components to cast its spells. The flameskull has the following
wizard spells prepared:
Cantrip (at will): mage hand
1st level (3 slots): magic missile, shield
2nd level (2 slots): blur, flaming sphere
3rd level (1 slot): fireball
Actions
Multiattack. The flameskull uses Fire Ray twice.
Fire Ray. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (3d6) fire damage.
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the spider knows
the exact location of any other creature in contact with
the same web.
Web Walker. The spider ignores movement restrictions caused
by webbing.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, and the target must make a
DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the
target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit
points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Ogre Zombie
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 8
Hit Points 85 (9d10 + 36)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 6 (−2) 18 (+4) 3 (−4) 6 (−2) 5 (−3)
Saving Throws Wis +0
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages understands Common and Giant but can’t speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit

points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC
of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or
from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit
point instead.

Actions
Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 13

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
Skeleton Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage, or 7 (1d10 + 2)
Medium undead, lawful evil
slashing damage if used with two hands.
Armor Class 13 (armor scraps) Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 150/600 ft.,
Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Zombie

10 (+0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (−2) 8 (−1) 5 (−3) Medium undead, neutral evil

Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning Armor Class 8

Damage Immunities poison Hit Points 22 (3d8 + 9)
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned Speed 20 ft.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands all languages it knew in life but STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
can’t speak 13 (+1) 6 (−2) 16 (+3) 3 (−4) 6 (−2) 5 (−3)
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Saving Throws Wis +0
Damage Immunities poison
Actions Condition Immunities poisoned
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. Languages understands the languages it knew in life but
can’t speak
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit
Wight points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC
of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or
Medium undead, neutral evil
from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit
Armor Class 14 (studded leather) point instead.
Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft. Actions
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 15 (+2)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4

Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with
silvered weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the wight has disadvan-

tage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks
that rely on sight.

Actions
Multiattack. The wight makes two longsword attacks or
two longbow attacks. It can use its Life Drain in place of one
longsword attack.
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) necrotic damage. The target must
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or its hit point
maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken.
This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The
target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
A humanoid slain by this attack rises 24 hours later as a
zombie under the wight’s control, unless the humanoid is
restored to life or its body is destroyed. The wight can have no
more than twelve zombies under its control at one time.

Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 14

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
The Grave Robbers
Samulkin Farcaster
(Illusionist)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 38 (7d8 + 7)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
9 (−1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +2
Skills Arcana +5, History +5
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages any four languages
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Spellcasting. The illusionist is a 7th-level spellcaster. Its
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit
with spell attacks). The illusionist has the following wizard
spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, mage hand, minor illusion,
poison spray
1st level (4 slots): color spray,* disguise self,* mage armor,
magic missile
2nd level (3 slots): invisibility,* mirror image,* phantasmal force*
3rd level (3 slots): major image,* phantom steed*
4th level (1 slot): phantasmal killer*
*Illusion spell of 1st level or higher
Displacement (Recharges after the Illusionist Casts an Illusion
Spell of 1st Level or Higher). As a bonus action, the illusionist
projects an illusion that makes the illusionist appear to be
standing in a place a few inches from its actual location,
causing any creature to have disadvantage on attack rolls
against the illusionist. The effect ends if the illusionist takes
damage, it is incapacitated, or its speed becomes 0.
Actions
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 2 (1d6 − 1) bludgeoning damage, or 3 (1d8 − 1)
bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.
Gromlik Three-Teeth
(Knight)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 18 (plate)
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 15 (+2)
Saving Throws Con +4, Wis +2
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Brave. The knight has advantage on saving throws against
being frightened.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
Actions
Multiattack. The knight makes two melee attacks.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, range
100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d10) piercing damage.
Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). For 1
minute, the knight can utter a special command or warning
whenever a nonhostile creature that it can see within 30 feet of
it makes an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature can add
a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand the knight.
A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time.
This effect ends if the knight is incapacitated.
Reactions
Parry. The knight adds 2 to its AC against one melee attack that
would hit it. To do so, the knight must see the attacker and be
wielding a melee weapon.
Cailyassa Forgedawn (Scout)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 11 (+0)
Skills Nature +4, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Survival +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Keen Hearing and Sight. The scout has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Actions
Multiattack. The scout makes two melee attacks or two
ranged attacks.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, ranged 150/600 ft.,
one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Dragon+ 18 | The Crypts of Kelemvor 15